Wisconsin inmate, Terrance Grissom, was sentenced to three years of incarceration and two years of extended supervision for his involvement in a bomb scare threat against the Governor in 2018. The sentencing was carried out by Dane County Circuity Court Judge John Hyland on December 14, 2023. Grissom had previously pled guilty to Bomb Scare, as a Habitual Criminal on December 7, 2023.
Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for making criminal threats. He stated, "Those who make criminal threats to harm others must be held accountable. Bomb scares are serious offenses, and I’m thankful to everyone involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case."
The incident occurred on April 9, 2018, when a letter was sent to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office by Grissom, who was a state prison inmate at the time. The letter contained a threat of a bomb in the Governor's office, claiming it would detonate at the push of a button. As a precautionary measure, Capitol Police immediately evacuated the Governor’s Office, the Lt. Governor’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office in the capitol. Fortunately, a bomb sniffing canine determined that there was no actual threat.
Assistant Attorney General Robert Kaiser, along with paralegals Jackie Righter and Brittney Johnson, and Legal Assistant Alex Szczech, prosecuted the case. Dane County District Attorney Investigator Peter Hansen, along with Capitol Police Lieutenant Abby Onsgaard and Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory DNA Analyst Denise Jones, were responsible for the investigation.
This sentencing serves as a reminder that threats and acts of violence will not be tolerated. It highlights the importance of swift and thorough investigations, as well as the dedication of law enforcement and legal professionals in ensuring the safety of public officials and institutions.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/wisconsin-inmate-sentenced-2018-bomb-scare-against-governor